Ottawa Report (Periodical)

Contents

The Ottawa Report was an irregular periodical founded by Frank H. Epp (1929-1986) while he lived and served in Ottawa as half-time pastor of the Ottawa Mennonite Fellowship and half-time with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Peace Section. The first 25 issues of Ottawa Report, published between September 1967 and October 1970, were mimeographed, and then five more issues, numbered as volume II were formally printed and distributed between January and October 1971. Ernie J. Dick joined the writing and editing with issue no.17 in July 1969. As Epp left the publication in late 1970 it was joined by Ernie Regier. With the founding of the Canadian Mennonite Reporter newspaper in August 1971 a separate publication was no longer needed for both Dick and Regier began writing a column titled "Ottawa Report."

The publication of Ottawa Report began "at the request of the Canadian Board of Christian Services" of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. Issues ranged from 2 to 19 pages in length and covered topics of religion, war, politics and social injustice. Often the publication alerted readers to Canadian Federal Government policy and legislation, carried copies of reports and messages to government officials and urged readers and community leaders to act in practical ways in support of the weak and poor throughout the world. Peace, immigration, ecumenism, and righteousness were topics frequently promoted.

The Ottawa Report was published at a time when some Mennonites were starting their engagement with democracy and government. 1967, its founding year, was notable as Canada celebrated it's centenary year, the Vietnam War was enraging the youth of USA, protest demonstrations were widespread, thousands of draft-age Americans came to Canada and young people everywhere were challenging established institutions including the church. Epp, in his heart a crusading journalist, developed Ottawa Report as a avenue to motivate Mennonites to look at and engage in issues outside of their local communities.